matura exam english

23 2014 ., 1

PART ONE: LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Directions: You will hear a text about Harrison Ford twice. Before you listen to it, you have

2 minutes to read the questions. While listening for the first time, you can look at the

questions and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the

whole text, you have 4 minutes to answer the questions on your answer sheet, choosing

among A, B, C or D. Then you will hear the text again and will have 1 minute to check your

answers.

1. Young Harrison Ford

A) took up a drama class at college to develop his acting talent.

B) went to Los Angeles, California to become a movie actor.

C) did not become immediately successful at the start of his career.

D) started a radio voice-over job for a hundred and fifty dollars a week.

2. Harrison Ford taught himself carpentry in order to

A) pay his way through college.

B) prepare for a movie role.

C) gain some self-confidence.

D) support his family.

3. Which of the following events in Harrison Fords life is NOT related to carpentry at

all?

A) He signed a job contract with Columbia Pictures.

B) He worked as a stage-hand for the rock band The Doors.

C) He got to know film-director George Lucas in person.

D) Francis Ford Coppola cast him in two of his movies.

4. Harrison Ford got the role of Han Solo in Star Wars because A) George Lucas wanted to repay him for his carpentry work on the set.

B) the actor who was originally cast in it didnt play it convincingly.

C) he happened to be available when a quick replacement was needed.

D) the role of Han Solo involved some carpentry skills and knowledge.

5. The Indiana Jones film series

A) began to be shot in the early 1970s.

B) was co-directed by two film directors.

C) was always meant with Ford in the lead role.

D) starred Tom Selleck as the title character.

Directions: You will hear a text about poker twice. Before you listen to it, you have 2

minutes to read the questions. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions

and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole

text, you have 4 minutes to answer the questions on your answer sheet, choosing among A, B,

C or D. Then you will hear the text again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

6. Poker is a card game

A) that is always played by two persons.

B) that requires no special skill.

C) in which you win or lose cash.

D) that originated in America in the 1800s.

7. A showdown is an expression

A) first used to refer to cowboy gunfights.

B) no longer only related to the poker table.

C) synonymous with any presidential political election.

D) only employed by tabloid newspaper journalists.

8. Which of the following is NOT an example of sweetening the pot?

A) Adding sugar to your pot of hot tea before you drink it.

B) Raising the poker bets in the hope that youll win it all.

C) Making an offer more attractive by giving some bonuses.

D) Adding something free to an item for sale to promote it.

9. Blue chips are

A) the ones with the least value in a game of poker.

B) used instead of money at the New York Stock exchange.

C) companies or shares that make profit and are safe to invest in.

D) the lucky investors at the New York Stock exchange.

10. The expression to cash in ones chips

A) is often used at the beginning of a poker game.

B) means to buy something with the money you have won.

C) refers to the end of a persons life.

D) None of the above.

Directions: You will hear a text about the Statue of Liberty twice. Before you listen to it,

you have 1 minute to read the questions. While listening for the first time, you can look at the



among A, B or C. Then you will hear the text again and will have 1 minute to check your

answers.

11. The Statue of Liberty was designed and constructed by the same person.

A) True. B) False. C) No information in the text.

12. Construction work on the Statue of Liberty began in France around the mid-1870s. A) True. B) False. C) No information in the text.

13. The Statue was transported from France to the US on board of a single ship. A) True. B) False. C) No information in the text.

14. A site for the Statue was chosen as soon as it arrived in America. A) True. B) False. C) No information in the text.

15. With its height of 151 feet, the Statue of Liberty is the tallest construction on the New

York horizon.


PART TWO: READING COMPREHENSION

Directions: Read the text below. Then read the questions that follow it and choose the best

answer to each question among A, B or C, marking your answers on your answer sheet.


answer to each question correspondingly among A, B, C or D, marking your answers on your

answer sheet.

Over the years, the famed author of the Harry Potter series, J. K. Rowling, often spoke of

writing a crime novel for a change. In a TV interview with Stephen Fry in 2005, she also

claimed that she would much prefer to write any subsequent books under a pseudonym, but

she published her first adult book, The Casual Vacancy, under her own name in 2012.

In April 2013, Little Brown published The Cuckoo's Calling, presenting it as the dbut

novel of author Robert Galbraith. The publisher described the author of the crime novel as "a

former Royal Military Police investigator who had left in 2003 to work in the civilian security

industry". The novel, a detective story about the suicide of a supermodel, sold 1500 copies in

hardback and was praised by both other crime writers and literary critics.

Rowlings concealed identity as the author of Cuckoo was revealed on Twitter in July last

year, after a partner at her solicitors told his wifes best friend of her identity. Rowling sued

the people who leaked the information, won her case, and donated the money she was

awarded as damages to charity.

The Cuckoo's Calling shot straight to the top of the bestseller lists after Rowling's identity

as its author became known. Rowling said: "It has been wonderful to publish without hype or

expectation, and pure pleasure to get feedback under a different name", and confirmed on her

website that she "intends to keep writing the crime series" and will do so under the

pseudonym. Rowling also explained that she took the name from one of her personal heroes,

Robert Kennedy, and a childhood fantasy name she had invented for herself, Ella Galbraith.

Soon after the revelation, there has been some speculation that the entire affair with the pen-

name could have been a publicity stunt.

The Cuckoo's Calling centres on a supermodel's death a tragedy which has been ruled a

suicide by the police, a decision her brother refuses to accept. He calls on the help of

Cormoran Strike, a private investigator who has lost his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan,

who, on taking on the case, is plunged into the world of the super-rich.

On the 17th February 2014, Rowling announced that the second Cormoran Strike novel,

named The Silkworm, would be released in June 2014. It sees Strike and his "determined

young assistant" Robin Ellacott investigating the disappearance of a writer hated by many of

his old friends for insulting them in his latest novel.

16. The Casual Vacancy

A) was published in 2005.

B) was Rowlings first book for adults.

C) was published under a pen-name.

D) introduced the character of the private detective.

17. Robert Galbraith is

A) the nick-name of the supermodel who gets killed in The Cuckoo's Calling.

B) the leading male character in Rowlings new crime series.

C) a real person whos a former Royal Military Police investigator.

D) Rowlings fancy combination of two other names.

18. The Cuckoo's Calling

A) is the first novel Rowling wrote under a pseudonym.

B) initially received poor reviews from the critics.

C) became a bestseller immediately after it was published.

D) is about an ex-police officer working in the civilian security industry.

19. Rowlings concealed identity as the author of The Cuckoo's Calling

A) was revealed by the author herself during an interview.

B) was accidentally leaked on Twitter by her publisher.

C) allowed her to get some objective feedback on her novel.

D) was part of marketing her novel, for which she was punished in court.

20. The Silkworm

A) hit the bookshop shelves in February 2014.

B) features Cormoran Strike investigating a new case.

C) is expected to appear under Rowlings own name.

D) is about Ella Galbraith, a determined young writer.


answer to each question correspondingly among A, B, C or D, marking your answers on your

answer sheet.

Jorge's passion on Instagram is sharing photos of the sky. He started using the hashtag #sky

on his pictures, and while browsing through others on the hashtag one day, he came across a

stunning photo taken by Corinth. He clicked over to her profile and was intrigued by her

unique name and beautiful photos, so he decided to send her a message. Because of their age

and geographical differences, he just intended to strike up a friendship. But Corinth's first

thought was, "Wow, what a cute guy!"

They soon began talking every day. After months of this routine, they both realized

they were falling in love. One day, Corinth said "I love you," and Jorge quickly responded the

same. After they officially started dating in March, they started their own hashtag

#chasingmiamor to document their relationship. Six months later, they met in person for the

first time.

They're still going strong a year later, even though they've only spent a total of 25 days

together in person. "We dont always see each other because we are 3,590 miles from each

other, so during those days we were actually together, we made lots of memories by capturing

them through photos and videos," said Corinth. "And well always be sharing our stories on

Instagram, the app that brought us together."

* * *

After joining Instagram in 2011, Robin began browsing around to find interesting

people to follow. One of Matt's cycling photos caught her eye, and she left a comment. He

then commented on one of her photos of the snow, mentioning how much he missed the

snowy Christmas weather he'd grown up with in Wisconsin before moving to California.

After some more exchanges, he asked her to email him. She sent him a one-line note: "What's

up?" He responded with an eight-paragraph email all about himself, his childhood, and his

trouble adjusting to life in California.

After a year of being email pen pals, Matt gave Robin his number. They immediately

hit it off; one of their Skype chats lasted over 13 hours! A few months later, they met in

person for the first time.

"I couldn't even make eye contact with him. I'm not exaggerating," Robin said.

Luckily, she got over her nerves, and a year later, the couple was married.

21. When Jorge first saw Corinths photo on Instagram, he

A) fell in love with her good looks. B) wanted to know more about her. C) was envious of her mastery. D) decided to download all her photos.

22. Jorge and Corinth fell in love

A) instantly. B) after a few weeks. C) when they met face to face. D) gradually.

23. After striking a love relashinship, Jorge and Corinth

A) created a new dating website. B) continued to develop their relationship with their own hashtag. C) posted on Instagram about their relationship. D) created a video documenting their first meeting.

24. When Matt contacted Robin for the first time, he

A) asked her to email him. B) sent her a long email. C) made a comment on a photo of hers. D) complained about his life at length.

25. The two couples are similar in as much as they both

A) shared common interests . B) first emailed one another before meeting face to face. C) had long chats on Skype. D) eventually married.


answer to each question among A, B or C, marking your answers on your answer sheet.

Japanese man steals $185,000 so that he can feed his cats gourmet meals

An unemployed 48-year-old man from Osaka was arrested in September last year for

stealing cash and valuables worth 19 million yen (about $185,000) from 32 different homes.

His motive? To be able to afford premium cat food for his feline friends more than 120,

mostly stray cats but also about 20 of his own, living in a nearby warehouse.

Its like the story of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, only you have to replace Jean

Valjeans sisters starving children with street cats and a loaf of bread with precious stones, a

Japanese police officer told the press.

Unemployed Demizu gave his 120 feline friends fresh fish and chicken, not cheap canned

food. He said he felt happiest when he rubbed his cheek against the cats, the officer added.

It cost $250 a day to keep this kitty buffet open and running. So after he lost his job in 2011

and his own savings came to an end, Demizu had to embrace a life of crime in order to

provide for the cats. He broke into houses in his neighborhood during the daytime when

families were most likely to be at work or school. He entered through unlocked windows or

by finding hidden keys outside of the homes. When he was caught by the police, Demizu pled

guilty as charged, so that he could ask for mercy for his feline friends.

26. Demizu had been unemployed for only a year when he got arrested.


27. He did not steal the money and the jewels for himself.


28. He never broke into the houses of people he knew closely and was friends with.


29. Demizu committed the burglaries to help feed his sisters children.


30. Not all of the cats at Demizus kitty buffet were homeless.


PART THREE: USE OF ENGLISH

Section One: Cloze

Directions: Read the text below and for each numbered gap choose the letter (A, B, C or D)

of the word or phrase that best suits the gap, marking your answers on your answer sheet.

Speaking two languages rather than just one has obvious practical (31) in an

increasingly globalized world. But in recent years, scientists have begun to show that the

advantages of bilingualism are even more fundamental than being able to converse with a

wider range of people. Being bilingual, it (32) , makes you smarter. It can have a(n)

(33) effect on your brain, improving cognitive skills not related to language and even

preventing dementia in old age.

This (34) of bilingualism is remarkably different from the understanding of

bilingualism through much of the 20th century. Researchers, educators and policy (35)

long considered a second language to be an interference, an unfavourable effect,

cognitively speaking, that (36) a childs academic and intellectual development.

They were not wrong about the interference: there is (37) evidence that in a

bilinguals brain both language systems are active (38) when the person is using only

one language, thus creating situations in which one system obstructs the other. But this

interference, researchers are finding out, isnt so much a handicap as a blessing in (39)

. It forces the brain to (40) internal conflict, giving the mind a workout that

strengthens its cognitive muscles.

Bilinguals, for instance, seem to be more (41) than monolinguals at solving certain

kinds of mental puzzles. The collected evidence from a number of such studies suggests that

the bilingual experience improves the brains so-called executive function a command

system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and

performing various other mentally demanding tasks. The key difference between bilinguals

and monolinguals may be more basic: a heightened ability to monitor the environment.

31. A) assets B) earnings C) benefits D) interests

32. A) turns out B) turns up C) comes up D) comes out

33. A) complete B) thorough C) influential D) profound

34. A) view B) sight C) look D) site

35. A) doers B) makers C) producers D) introducers

36. A) hindered B) intervened C) broke D) invaded

37. A) spacious B) wide C) broad D) ample

38. A) right B) even C) just D) and

39. A) secret B) concealment C) disguise D) hiding

40. A) resolve B) conclude C) determine D) decide

41. A) learned B) capable C) able D) adept

42. through an experiment with bacteria, Alexander Fleming went on vacation,

which led to the discovery of penicillin.

A) Half B) In the middle C) Half-way D) On the way

43. Medical practices and health beliefs are often quitediverse in different cultures, and

miscommunication from various practices could have a range of consequences

for the patient.

A) rousing B) arising C) arousing D) rising

44. The first generation of computer games were often text adventure or fiction,

in which the player communicated with the computer by entering commands through a

keyboard.

A) exchanging B) interchangeable C) joint D) interactive

45. From time to time publishing houses decide to long-forgotten authors and

reprint one or two of their more commercially successful novels.

A) evoke B) revive C) enliven D) Recover

Section Two: Sentence Completion

Directions: For each of the sentences below, choose the letter A, B, C or D of the word or

phrase that best completes its meaning, marking your answers on your answer sheet.

46. The latest accusation against the mayor ______ to have been unfair.

A) believes B) has believed C) is believed D) are believed

47. I asked ______ the door behind her but she slammed it instead.

A) her closing B) that she should close C) if she closed D) her to close

48. Mark is _____ intelligent than his sister.

A) not as B) much less C) much fewer D) not so

49. There are trees and buildings ______ of the street.

A) on either sides B) on either side C) on either the sides D) on either the side

50. Only when my wife Madge went out of the room did I realize she _____________her

wedding ring on the coffee-table.

A) left B) was left C) had left D) has left

Section Three: Sentence Transformations

Directions: On your sheet for open-ended answers complete the second sentence so that it is

as close as possible in meaning to the first one.

51. I am still copying the grammar exercises in my notebook.

I ______________________________________________ yet.

52. Seldom does my little brother walk our dog in the local park.

My little brother _____________________________________in the local park.

53. Sally prefers drinking pots of herbal tea with honey to taking antibiotics for her throat. Sally would ________________________________ antibiotics for her throat.

54. A new purple cardigan is being knitted for Laura.

Laura ______________________________________.

55. It would be wise for the young couple to save up.

The young couple had____________________________.

56. Although father was exhausted, he found time to listen to my ridiculous story.

Despite ______________________, father found time to listen to my ridiculous story.

57. As they went further in the country, the road became more and more rough.

The _____________________________, the _____________________________.

58. What a pity I didnt lay the table earlier. I wish _________________________ earlier.

59. My sister hasnt had a proper relationship for a long time.

Its about time __________________________a proper relationship.

60. No sooner had Jane entered the building than a downpour began. Jane ____just__________________________________ a downpour began.

PART FOUR: WRITING

Directions: On your sheet for open-ended answers write a composition in standard English

of about 160-170 words on ONE of the following topics, marking the topic you have chosen

on the sheet:

1. You are invisible. Where would you go and what would you do? Why? How does it feel to

be invisible?

2. Which is the greatest achievement or failure of modern civilization? Why?

Mind that if you submit two texts as well as in case of indecent language, plagiarism,

identical texts or if your composition is under 80 words or totally irrelevant to the chosen

topic it will get 0 points.

23 2014.

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Directions: You will hear a text about Harrison Ford twice. Before you listen to it, you have

2 minutes to read the questions. While listening for the first time, you can look at the



among A, B, C or D. Then you will hear the text again and will have 1 minute to check your

answers.

Harrison Ford became fascinated with acting while at college in Wisconsin. He took a

drama class in the final quarter of his senior year to get over his shyness and enjoyed the

experience greatly. In 1964, Ford traveled to Los Angeles, California to apply for a job in

radio voice overs. He did not get it, but stayed in California and eventually signed a $150 a

week contract with Columbia Pictures, playing small roles in various films.

Not happy with the roles offered to him at the beginning of his film career, Harrison Ford

became a self-taught professional carpenter to support his wife and two small sons. While

working as a carpenter, he became a stage-hand for the popular rock band The Doors. At one

point he was hired to build cabinets at the home of director George Lucas, who appreciated

his acting talent and in 1973 cast him in a central supporting role for his film American

Graffiti. Ford's relationship with Lucas profoundly affected his career later on, too. Film

director Francis Ford Coppola also hired Harrison Ford to expand his office and then gave

him small roles in his next two films. During this early period Ford often came to auditions

directly from work still wearing his carpenter's clothes and gear, to subtly remind casting

directors that he had other options in life.

Harrison Ford's carpentry work eventually landed him his first starring film role. Ford was

one of the carpenters on the set for Star Wars, and he was not originally supposed to be Han

Solo. But the guy who was did not show up on time and George Lucas got so fed up that he

told Harrison Ford to come over and play the part. Lucas was eventually won over by Ford's

portrayal of the character, and cast him as Hans Solo. Star Wars became one of the most

successful movies of all time worldwide, and established Ford as a superstar. In 1981, Ford's

status as a leading actor was solidified when he starred as Indiana Jones in the George Lucas

and Steven Spielberg collaboration Raiders of the Lost Ark. Interestingly, though Spielberg

wanted to cast Ford in the lead role from the start, Lucas preferred to give the role to Tom

Selleck, but the latter was unable to accept and Ford got the role.

Directions: You will hear a text about poker twice. Before you listen to it, you have 2

minutes to read the questions. While listening for the first time, you can look at the questions

and the suggested choices, but you are not allowed to take notes. When you hear the whole

text, you have 4 minutes to answer the questions on your answer sheet, choosing among A, B,

C or D. Then you will hear the text again and will have 1 minute to check your answers.

Poker is an American tradition. It is a card game that calls for skill, luck and a willingness

to take chances. It is played by two or more people. The players bet on the value of their hands

and the winner takes the pool. Some experts say poker began in East Asia, others say it is

similar to Greek and French games. But wherever it came from, poker has been as American as

apple pie since it first became popular in the 1800s.

Poker was considered an important part of life in the Wild West. Many movies show tense

conflicts or "showdowns" between cowboys at the poker table. A gunfight usually follows.

"Showdown" is a common expression, one of many that have moved from the poker table

to everyday speech. In poker, a showdown is when a player shows his cards to prove he won

the game, and all the money.

Today, a "showdown" is a meeting between opposing sides or teams. It is an important

meeting, because it will decide who is the winner and who is the loser. A newspaper might

report, for example, that the Republicans and the Democrats are headed for a showdown in the

Senate tomorrow, when the President's budget comes up for a vote.

When you play poker, you are trying to win the "pot", the money that all the players have

bet. A player who thinks he has the best cards will bet as much as he can. He will keep raising

bets, "sweetening the pot". For the player who wins, the larger the pot, the sweeter it is.

Away from the poker table, "sweetening the pot" means adding something extra to an offer.

For example, a company really wants you to accept a job, but you are happy with your present

job. The new company "sweetens the pot" by offering higher pay and use of a company car. Or

a trader may decide to add new goods to their present stock in order to promote sales.

Poker players often use round pieces or chips instead of money when they bet. The chips

are different colors red, white and blue. The blue chips always have the highest value.

Investors at the New York Stock exchange also talk about "blue chips" blue chip stocks.

These are stocks of companies with long records of high earnings. Thus, blue chip stocks are

regarded as the best investments over a long period of time.

Chips are used in another expression that is not as welcome. When you leave a poker game

and go home, you cash in your chips, i.e. trade them for real money, for cash. The expression to

"cash in one's chips" has also been used for over 100 years to mean to die. If someone tells you

his friend "cashed in his chips last week", he means that his friend has passed away.

Directions: You will hear a text about the Statue of Liberty twice. Before you listen to it,

you have 1 minute to read the questions. While listening for the first time, you can look at the



among A, B or C. Then you will hear the text again and will have 1 minute to check your

answers.

A Noble Gift

One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of Liberty, was presented to

the United States of America in the nineteenth century by the people of France. The great

statue, which was designed by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, took ten years to complete. The

actual figure was made of copper supported by a metal framework which had been especially

constructed by Eiffel. Before it could be transported to the United States, a site had to be

found for it and a pedestal had to be built. The site chosen was an island at the entrance of

New York Harbor. By 1884, a statue which was 151 feet tall, had been erected in Paris. The

following year, it was taken to pieces and sent to America. By the end of October 1886, the

statue had been put together again and it was officially presented to the American people by

Bartholdi. Ever since then, the great monument has been a symbol of liberty for the millions

of people who have passed through New York Harbor to make their homes in America.

23 , 2014 .

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Sentence Transformations 51. I havent finished copying/copied the grammar exercises in my notebook yet. 52. My little brother seldom walks our dog in the local park.

New Text

53. Sally would rather drink pots of herbal tea with honey than take antibiotics for her throat. 54. Laura is having a new purple cardigan knitted (for her). 55. The young couple had better save up. 56. Despite his exhaustion/ being/feeling exhausted/ the fact that he was exhausted, father found time to listen to my ridiculous story. 57. The further in the country they went, the rougher /the more rough the road became. 58. I wish I had laid the table earlier. 59. Its about time my sister had a proper relationship. 60. Jane had just entered the building when a downpour began. : 1. 0 6. 2. 0 2 . 3. 0 7 . 4. 0 7 . 5. 0 6 . 6. 0 2 . ( , .) , , , 80 0 .

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